Four Stages, Workshops, Wandering Musicians and Dancers, from 12:00pm to 8:30pm

Making Music Dance Premiere at 6:30pm

Walk to the Beat 2015The Third Annual Walk to the Beat Festival will fill the village of Nyack with world-class music and dance on Saturday, July 18th, from 12:00pm to 8:30pm. (Rain date: Sunday, July 19th.)

A diverse lineup of international artists will perform at four main stages throughout the village. The day also features workshops in Memorial Park overlooking the Hudson River, wandering artists performing in the shops and restaurants, and an open jam from 7:00pm to 8:30pm to close out the evening.

The public is invited to the festival “after party” at Casa del Sol, 104 Main Street, at 9:00pm.

To celebrate the festival’s third year, Making Music Dance, featuring festival co-directors Heather Cornell and Anna de la Paz, will premiere a new piece, written and choreographed specifically for the Walk to the Beat Summer Festival. This piece was made possible by a prestigious New Music USA grant.

Stephanie Cadman performing in 2014. Photo: (c) Samantha Lauren

Stephanie Cadman performing in 2014. Photo: (c) Samantha Lauren

The festival’s four main stages are located at the Main Street Gazebo (corner of Cedar Street); Edward Hopper House Art Center (82 N. Broadway); Nyack Center (58 Depew, at South Broadway); and Memorial Park on the Hudson River. The roster of artists scheduled to perform includes:

  • Bandamagda, a Greek World-Fusion group that moves from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. Led by greek-born singer, accordionist, film scorer and composer Magda Giannikou, they have been busy touring the world this season, opening for Snarky Puppy.
  • Cocomama Quartet, is an all female multi-national Latin Jazz orchestra performing Latin fusion original music, led by Nyack’s own Mayra Casales.
  • Back by popular demand, Stephanie Cadman is a world-renowned fiddler and step dance sensation from the Ottawa Valley in Canada. Actor, touring artist, dancer, musician, she is considered one of Canada’s top fiddlers and step dancers.
  • Chiku Awali is an African Drumming and Dance ensemble that performs West African dances. Rockland County based, this group inspires dancers and musicians young and old to come together and celebrate the African culture.
  • Sueño Flamenco features artists Cristián Puig and Isabel del Día, and their innovative approach to Flamenco, combining traditional techniques with a modern, metropolitan flare.
  • Glenn Schloss and For Vibration inspire energy and freedom in drummers of all levels.

The full schedule and lineup of artists is available at walktothebeatnyack.com.

Funding for Walk to the Beat is provided in part by grants from the New York State Council for the Arts (NYSCA) and Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR), and by a diverse group of Nyack residents and businesses.

About Walk to the Beat

Walk to the Beat is a not-for-profit organization created by professional dancers Heather Cornell and Anna de la Paz. Since 2013, Walk to the Beat has been bringing artists from around the world to Nyack to celebrate the similarities and differences of world culture through the universal language of music and dance. Through collaborations with local business and arts organizations, Walk to the Beat curates community workshops and performances, school presentations and residencies, and ongoing classes in addition to its annual festival.

Anna de la Paz is a performer and teacher specializing in classical and folkloric Spanish dance and flamenco. Anna has worked with many ensembles including American Bolero Dance Company, Danzas Españolas, Liria Ensemble and Amigos de la Zarzuela. She created and produced her own shows Alegría Española and Migración and collaborates on Making Music Dance, a world music and dance fusion project. She currently teaches her own classes in Nyack, NY and as an artist-in-residence in colleges, private and public schools.

Heather Cornell, “the Oscar Peterson of hoofing” (Globe & Mail) is considered one of the most musical tap dancers working internationally today. She travels the world teaching, performing and mentoring tap communities. She is Artistic Director of Manhattan Tap, a force in the rhythm tap renaissance in NYC in the 80’s and 90’s and today for CanTap. Known for her collaborations with world-class musicians, she has won numerous awards for her contributions to her art form.

Read more about Walk to the Beat:

And Walk to the Beat Goes On — http://www.nyacknewsandviews.com/2014/07/walk-to-the-beat-2014/

Local Arts Index: Walk to the Beat — http://www.nyacknewsandviews.com/2015/06/local-arts-index-walk-to-the-beat/

 

 

Walk to the Beat Festival 2015 Schedule (subject to change)

Main Street gazebo (corner Main Street & Cedar Avenue)

12-12:45 Cocomama Quartet

1-1:45 Gamelan Yowana Sari

2-2:45 Bandamagda

3-3:45 Chiku Awali Cocomama

4-4:45 Stephanie Cadman

Edward Hopper House Art Center (82 North Broadway)

12:15-1 Bandamagda

1:15 – 2 Sueño Flamenco

2:15-3 Stephanie Cadman

3:15-4 Gamelan Yowana Sari

4:15-5 For Vibration

Nyack Center (58 Depew, corner South Broadway)

12:30-1:15 Stephanie Cadman

1:30-2:15 Cocomama Quartet, Chiku Awali

2:30-3:15 For Vibration

3:30-4:15 Sueño Flamenco

4:30-5:15 Chiku Awali

Upper Memorial Park (student and amateur ensembles)

1:30-2:15 Jen Salazar capoeira workshop

2:30 – 4:00 Dance Central-hip-hop and tap, Anna de la Paz kids’ class, India Center

4:15-5:00 Belly dancing workshop with Nahara Ruskin

Location TBA

6:00-7:00 Making Music Dance

Open Jam until 8:30PM